7 Things You Need to Learn a Foreign Language: Tips from a Tutor

Why do people struggle with foreign languages? Tutor Daria Vega discusses this on the platform. T.J. about what things are essential if you decide to take language learning seriously.

"The question of why foreign languages ​​aren't working is usually asked by mothers of schoolchildren, who, following Soviet habits, strive for their children to excel in all subjects. But adults also sometimes come to the conclusion that they've been studying foreign languages ​​for decades (first school, then university, then courses), and nothing has happened yet."

Here are 7 things you need to do to succeed in learning a language.

On the subject: Russian schools are cutting foreign language lessons and introducing 'Conversations about what's important'

1. Get enough sleep

Foreign languages ​​are, first and foremost, about memory. Sleep deprivation leads to memory loss and impaired concentration. How can you learn anything if your brain is in energy-saving mode? It prioritizes work and everyday tasks, while languages ​​are a hobby—it'll just have to wait and see.

Here's a real-life story. A mother complains that she and her daughter were doing homework and went to bed close to midnight again. I ask:

- What for?
- Well, what about it? He'll get a bad grade.
- So what?
- What do you mean? That's bad.
- Bad. But why does she sit with you until midnight with homework?
- We need to check, she’s not very attentive.
— Does she always go to bed this late?
- Yes.
— Maybe that’s why she’s inattentive, because she doesn’t get enough sleep?

So the first thing you should do is adjust your sleep schedule.

2. Regularity and frequency

I like to compare learning foreign languages ​​to losing weight: in both cases, temporary measures won't work. It's a way of life. Just as a diet won't help because you'll keep slipping up, so too will learning a language, and you'll start and then quit again and again.

Just as losing weight requires getting used to proper nutrition and exercise, learning a language requires getting used to exercising regularly and frequently.

When I worked as a tutor, I regularly had students who attended only one lesson out of four scheduled per month and were genuinely upset that they weren't seeing results. They certainly didn't see their responsibility.

The optimal frequency of classes is considered to be 2-3 times a week for an hour, but you can and should adapt the study time to your schedule.

3. Sacrifice for the sake of studies

Think about how much you'll be working on it and how you'll spend it. Yes, you'll have to sacrifice something. I have a heavy household responsibilities, plus freelancing, so I end up making time at the expense of my rest and self-care. A quick shower instead of a bath, a textbook instead of a TV show, etc.

I don't regret it because I understand that this is a good price for knowledge.

4. Set yourself up for it to last a long time.

Again, as with weight loss, there is no magic pill.

Of course, I'd also like to learn it right away. Right away! And after a couple of months, you'll be able to speak fluently, but after a couple of months, your brain will only begin to show the first consistent results. That's normal; it needs time, too.

You can't imagine how demotivating it is for me that it takes 1100 hours to learn basic Turkish! I calculated that it would take almost two years, assuming I study a couple of times a week. I'm currently negotiating, but I hope to be accepted soon.

5. It won't be easy

“Please, no grammar for me,” “I want it in a playful way,” “I want no homework” – how many times have I heard this during my teaching career!

Well, I always answered truthfully that I would still have to learn words, grammar, work on pronunciation, etc. Otherwise, it’s like: “I want to lose weight, but I won’t go to the gym, I’ll keep eating cakes, and if I don’t lose weight, then you’re a bad trainer.”

But the sooner you come to terms with it, the easier it will be for your psyche.

6. Time

I once read a post by a teacher who knows four foreign languages. It was about learning Spanish. She wrote about how she studied Spanish eight hours a day. I was a little shocked. No, not that she could study eight hours a day, but where she found so much time. After all, you need to be undisturbed, undistracted, supported, and so on.

Personally, I immediately had a ton of questions along the lines of:
— And who's paying for the banquet?
— And who were the children with?
— Do you have children?
— Who runs the household?

Always make adjustments to your schedule and lifestyle. Yes, studying eight hours a day will help you learn English quickly. But if you don't have those eight hours, manage them so your life, sleep, and health don't suffer. And that doesn't mean you're lacking motivation.

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7. Motivation

And only now will we talk about motivation. "English is needed everywhere" is not motivation. Motivation is always personal, and until you find the reason why this particular foreign language is necessary for you, you will not learn English or any other language.

While previously people who came to me to learn English were hoping to achieve career success, or travel, or develop a business this way, now two categories of people increasingly come to me for consultations: those who simply enjoy learning languages ​​(these, by the way, are a minority) and those who want to maintain a clear mind.

I've outlined the obvious. But if you're constantly learning a foreign language and still can't seem to master it, consider this: what if you stumbled over one of the points listed above?

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